Zen Studios' CastleStorm marching onto Xbox Live Arcade this year

Zen Studios is just as busy as can be, it seems. In addition to the upcoming Kickbeat, the studio is also bringing CastleStorm to Xbox Live Arcade and other unannounced platforms. Promising a mix of real-time strategy, tower defense and destruction gameplay, CastleStorm lets players take up the roles of either knights or vikings as they fight to destroy each others' castles.

The game bears some resemblance to Ronimo's Swords & Soldiers, and has players sending out various troops, building their castles and using spells. Castlestorm is slated to be released this year. Check out the first trailer above and some screens in the gallery below.

Show full PR text

Zen Studios Announces CastleStorm™

A Medieval Fusion of Tower Defense, Real Time Strategy and 2D Destruction is Just Over the Horizon

Los Angeles, CA – May 30, 2012 – Zen Studios today announced CastleStorm, a brand-new, original title for digital distribution, set to release in 2012 for Xbox LIVE® Arcade and other digital platforms.

Set in a colorful medieval world, CastleStorm is a new breed of 2D archery projectile warfare and 2D physics-based structure destruction game. Players will experience a challenging mix of real time strategy, resource management, and a variety of different gameplay scenarios.

CastleStorm features medieval ballista weaponry, allowing players to launch an assortment of explosive weapons including Morningstars, Apple Grenades, Homing Eagles, and even flying sheep to defeat an onslaught of enemies trying to capture your flag and destroy your castle. Deploy a fearsome ground attack of swordsmen, knights, and donkey riders in order to protect your castle games, and if all else fails, call upon powerful spells to help keep the enemy at bay.

"CastleStorm is frantic tower defense warfare with tons of weapons, enemies and characters. Fending off a barrage of Direwolves, Bear Riders and Hammer Throwers while destroying an enemy castle will make you laugh, think and adapt in order to survive!" said Mel Kirk, Zen Studios Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations.

Zen Studios released a first look CastleStorm trailer, which can be linked from the Zen Studios YouTube channel, or downloaded from the Castle Storm press site.

In addition, CastleStorm features a tower construction editor that allows players to construct their own custom castles that will be used in battle. Castles must be constructed wisely, as choices determine which types of troops and resources will be available during battle!

"Building castles and then knocking them down was fun as a kid, and it's still fun now. CastleStorm gives you that and a whole lot more!" said Neil Sorens, Zen Studios Creative Director.

For more information, visit http://www.castlestormgame.com, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About CastleStorm

Peace has been upon the realm for centuries. Knights and Vikings have forgotten past grievances, living in civilized coexistence, deriving the benefits of immortality from colorful jewels betrothed by the beautiful Peace Goddess. However, all good things must come to an end, and ominous clouds of war are on the horizon when the Knights' jewel is stolen and delivered to the hand of the Vikings. It is time to take up arms, deploy mighty warriors, harness the power of the ballista, and master magical spells in your quest to recover the stolen jewel and restore peace to the realm. CastleStorm features colorful enchanted environments, magical spells, and an arsenal fit for above-average medieval warriors.

About Zen Studios

Zen Studios is a global producer and digital publisher of interactive entertainment software for all leading game platforms including Microsoft Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, PlayStation®Vita system, Nintendo DS™, Nintendo 3DS™, Wii™, App®Store and Google Play™. The company is headquartered in Budapest, Hungary with offices in North America. Zen Studios has worked with some of the largest intellectual properties in the videogame industry, including Capcom's Street Fighter, Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden and Marvel Entertainment. Zen's Pinball FX2 franchise on Xbox LIVE® Arcade is one of the most popular titles on the platform, has garnered numerous awards, and was named the best selling game of 2011. For more information about Zen Studios, please visit www.blog.zenstudios.com.